UL power into Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals as MTU Cork await in last eight

Brian Ryan’s side booked their place in the last eight with a second consecutive win.

Early pace setters UL laid down another marker as they sealed their place in the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals with a 5-25 to 1-14 win over TU Dublin.

That follows their first round 5-30 to 0-14 win over TUS MidWest in Castletroy.

Hat trick hero in the first game, Clare senior Mark Rodgers was again among the goalscorers as UL took a commanding 3-11 to 0-10 lead into the interval.

UL knew a win would guarantee a place in the last eight but were safe in the knowledge that their passage was secured unless TUD could produce a 50+ point swing.

Nonetheless, the hosts started brightly keeping in touch with UL. But Rodgers struck on 23 minutes and by the half Billy Power and Michael Kiely had also raised green flags to put the game beyond TUD.

Power had his second goal after the restart as Brian O’Sullivan also hit the net with UL comfortably securing passage.

They will now host MTU Cork in the quarter-finals with the Munster outfit progressing by virtue of finishing as runners up behind GMIT in their group.

The win for Brian Ryan’s side also ensures that TUS MidWest will also be involved in the quarter-finals after they beat TUD last week. They take on GMIT in the quarters.

Elsewhere, League champions NUIG host Waterford IT while three-in-a-row seeking UCC travel to Carlow IT.

Those fixtures take place next week.

Fitzgibbon Cup Quarter-Finals

(team named first with home advanatage)

UL v MTU Cork

GMIT v TUS MidWest

NUIG v Waterford IT

Carlow IT v UCC